Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice
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Diploma
- Code
- E28
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Made up of
- 120 credit points
Description
This postgraduate diploma looks at the way you think and naturally approach a task or situation. Every person brings with them their own perspective, which means that we all see things in different ways. The discipline of systems thinking in practice will provide you with the tools to challenge your approach to complex situations; to consider the roles other people play; to assess how all the different components within that situation are related; and to provide you with the skills to think more holistically and to work more collaboratively to avoid systemic failures. In a recent survey we found that 93% of students felt that the need for systems thinking was increasing in the modern world.
The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice is twofold:
Understanding the nature of complex problem situations and the tools with which they can be tackled. This is the key purpose of the Postgraduate Certificate in Systems Thinking in Practice
How, in complex situations you can engage with others in coming to a common language, common understanding and an agreed way to tackle complex problem situations. This is the key purpose of the compulsory course Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction (TU812). This course focuses on the social structures in which you live and work, your experiences of those working groups, communities of practice and networks. It enables you to develop your techniques of systemic inquiry, systemic action research, and social learning to extend your skills of project and programme management.
Planning your studies
For entry to the programme you should normally hold a UK honours degree, or equivalent. If you do not hold an honours degree but have demonstrated the ability to study at postgraduate level, you may also be accepted into the programme.
Courses can count towards this diploma for a maximum of eight years after we have stopped presenting them.
There is no time limit for completing the diploma but we cannot guarantee that the same selection of courses will continue to be available.
Because of the demands that the courses in the diploma will make on you we recommend that you do not take more than 60 credit points of study in any 12-month period.
You must include at least 40 credit points from OU courses that have not been counted in any other OU qualification you have been awarded.
Career relevance and employability
The knowledge and understanding developed through this postgraduate diploma can be applied in a wide range of business situations. The flexibility in choice of courses allows managers and other professionals from a range of industries covering the private and public sectors to choose complimentary courses that will enable them to tailor their learning. Relevance can be found particularly in the manufacturing and IT sectors, as well as in most organisations where an understanding of complex situations is required. This award can be useful for those who wish to demonstrate their capacity to manage more complex situations and problems or by those already working in systems and processes who may need to update their skills. Those who are self employed may also find the knowledge developed by studying this combination of courses provides the opportunity to take a more objective and innovative view of the systems they have already created and how to change these for the future.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
Courses
For this 120-point postgraduate diploma you require:
60 points from the following compulsory courses
| Postgraduate compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | Nov 2010 |
And 60 points from the following optional courses:
| Postgraduate optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | Nov 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
15 | May 2010 |
|
30 | Nov 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | Nov 2010 FINAL |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | Nov 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
15 | Nov 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
Subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses T860, T861, T890, TDXX866, TUXX870, TUXX871, TUXX872, TUXX875, TXX863
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of 120 points’ worth of required courses you will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice entitling you to use the letters PG Dip SysPrac (Open) after your name.
You will have the option of being presented at a degree ceremony and collecting your award certificate there.
You may continue your studies and add a further 60 points of credit to your postgraduate diploma to gain an MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice (F47).
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
- Introduction to the Award Regulations
- General Award Regulations
- Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Practice
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
A postgraduate qualification in Engineering and Technology.
Study explained
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
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